Urban and suburban trees often get pests and diseases that require treatment. Because they live in a different environment from forest trees, these problems are often perpetuated by environmental and seasonal conditions.
So how do you solve your tree problems? What common diseases could your trees get? Are there ways to solve these problems without removing the entire tree?
The good news is that there are ways to ensure that your plants stay healthy from their root growth to their tree trunks to their crowns. Read on to learn about different tree diseases, pests, and other problems and how to mitigate them.
Powdery Mildew
One of the most common fungal diseases trees can get is powdery mildew. You can tell if your tree has this issue by the powdery white covering evident on the leaves.
Over time, this fungus spreads, causing the leaves to become distorted and discolored, and eventually, they will fall away from the tree even if it’s not time for the tree to shed its leaves for the winter.
Crape myrtles, dogwoods, and lilacs are especially susceptible to this. If you have these species in your landscape, we highly recommend a Canopy Protection Program, which allows our experts to keep a close eye on these trees and proactively address fungal issues before they cause damage.
Our approach to powdery mildew and other plant health care issues is to examine your trees on a regular basis to ensure your trees stay in the best health possible. We check shady areas especially well, as this is where powdery mildew often grows.
Don’t panic if you do find powdery mildew on your trees! While it will take some time to eliminate the damage that’s already been done to your foliage, we can treat your trees and shrubs to prevent the powdery mildew from spreading to the new growth or to nearby species.
Anthracnose
This common fungal disease is very common in our area, as one of its host species is the dogwood – the state tree of Virginia, and a landscape staple in the DMV. It is also common in other deciduous trees such as sycamores, oaks, and ash trees.
As with other fungal diseases, we rely on a proactive approach to treating anthracnose. If you suspect that your tree has anthracnose, keep an eye out for dark leaf spots, cupping of the leaves, and leaves dropping before their time.
Cold and wet spring conditions exacerbate this problem, as the excess moisture provides the perfect environment for the fungus to grow.
A good practice you can do at home to control the spread of anthracnose is to rake up fallen leaves and dispose of them. You can also ensure to clean up any grass clippings after you or your lawn mowers have finished mowing, which prevents the roots from being exposed to too much moisture, reducing the risk of fungal diseases like anthracnose.
Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive species that causes mass destruction to Ash trees throughout the United States. They cause the most harm when they are in the larva stage of their lifespan by feeding on your trees.
An indication that Emerald Ash Borer has gotten ahold of your tree is a slow canopy decline. Oftentimes this starts at the crown of the tree and works its way down. Other signs include increased woodpecker activity and bark splitting, exposing “S” shaped galleries beneath the bark. Other beacons can be “D” shaped exit holes and sprouts from the trunk and roots of the tree.
Preventative care is the only way to ensure your ash tree does not succumb to this disease. Once your tree is infested, the decline is inevitable. It is crucial to catch it before it’s too late. Through our Canopy Protection Program, you can get regular inspections that will ensure that our experts are on-site scanning your property for pests like this.
Resolve Your Tree Problems Today
Your urban and suburban trees need a little extra care to stay healthy, grow tall, and live longer. Preventive care to maintain tree health is important to keeping your yard safe and beautiful. While prevention is always key, if you have a sick or damaged tree, RTEC can help you keep the affected tree from getting worse and prevent the spread to healthy trees nearby. There are a myriad of other tree problems not mentioned in this brief article that RTEC can help with, including:
- Drought stress
- Oak wilt
- Soil compaction
- And other common issues
Our certified arborists will help your trees grow strong through prevention of pests and diseases, regular tree and soil maintenance, and a customized treatment plan.
Contact us today at 703.573.3029 to talk to us about how we can help you with your tree problems!
